A key component that could save a Golden State Warriors dynasty
The Golden State Warriors dynasty was kickstarted by the timing of salary cap rules, and now the same component could prolong their success well into the future.
Golden State’s ongoing roster plans are of fascination to many around the league, with the franchise in the enviable position of balancing its core championship-winning players and elite young talent.
The situation has already reached a poignant moment this offseason – can Golden State reach extension agreements with Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and/or Jordan Poole? Some believe the Warriors will need to lose one of these crucial players to preserve the longevity of their salary cap situation.
With a new CBA and television agreement around the corner, the Golden State Warriors could again profit from a soar in the NBA’s salary cap.
In 2016, a new television agreement saw the NBA’s salary cap rise dramatically from $70 to $94 million. The spike gave Golden State the room to acquire Kevin Durant in free agency, much to the angst of every other team in the league.
A new CBA is expected after the 2023-24 season, with the television rights due for renewal in 2025. As a result, a league source believes the league’s salary cap could rise to over $170 million by 2025-26.
For argument’s sake, let’s assume the Warriors do hand out four-year extensions to each of Green, Wiggins and Poole, averaging out to around $27.5 million per season. That would lead to an even more ridiculous luxury tax bill for the 2023-24 season, with the salary cap projected to be at $133 million.
Those three would make a cumulative $80-85 million, and with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson set to make a combined $95 million, five players would total over $175 million. The vital element here is Thompson – would he take a pay cut to, say, $30 million per season following the end of his current contract?
If that were the case, then after two seasons of even more substantial luxury tax implications, the situation could smooth out to a degree. Instead of that quintet totaling more than $40 million above, they’d combine for right on that 2025-26 salary cap projection.
Of course, you then have the discussions surrounding James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, all of which you’d expect to want a significant raise off their rookie deals. However, projections on salaries are nigh on impossible at this point before their development.
Next. Golden State Warriors: Key Date for Jordan Poole’s extension. dark
If Joe Lacob is willing to continue paying the exorbitant luxury tax bill over the next few seasons, then the circumstances may comparatively ease for the back end of the decade. Additionally, the deals of Poole and Wiggins, who should theoretically be in their primes, will likely be considered incredibly team-friendly by that point.